Elevate Ministry at Willow Creek South Barrington Church

Elevate at Willow South Barrington

We exist to help Jr. Highers follow Jesus. We believe that Jr. High schoolers are incredibly important to build into—and that they are a big part of the church. And although we are now virtual, we would still love to connect with you!

Incoming 6-8th graders, get ready for Summer Smash 2021, a three night Elevate experience with hilarious games, awesome worship and teaching, plenty of snacks, cool t-shirts, and epic surprises along the way!

Summer Smash is 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. June 23-25. You can register for all three nights, or choose a schedule that works best for you!

Learn more and register at elevatecamp.com

Incoming 6th Graders: Get ready for Elevate!

April 11 & 18: Elevate visits Promiseland
During the 9 and 11:15 services, Elevate staff will visit the Grade 4/5 room in Promiseland for some games and fun. We’d love to see your 5th grader there!

May 4 at 7 p.m.: Virtual Parent Meeting
Connect with the Elevate staff on zoom about all things Elevate and 5th grade move up. Here's the link to join!

May 16: 5th grade Elevate Tours
Immediately following the 9 and 11:15 services, you and your 5th grader will have a chance to come and get a fun tour of the Elevate space and play some of Elevate favorite games! There might me some Elevate swag involved too! Sign up is required and you can do that here.

June 6: Move Up Sunday!
New 6th graders first Sunday in Elevate will be AWESOME! Students can come to the 9 or 11:15 service and stay after service for the 6th grade Afterparty! More details to come.

8th Grade Transition Information: Already? No way, but we are super excited for them to join Student Impact!

May 7: Not So L8 Nite 8Nite
We can't wait to celebrate at one last event with our 8th Graders. Click here to register your student.

May 12: Freshman Visit Day
Students will get to experience an Impact service and join the House Group that they will be a part of moving forward. It takes place at Willow from 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. You can drop off/pick up at the D entrance. There is a Parent Lobby you can hang out in if you'd like.

May 23: 8th Grade Sunday
8th Graders will be taking over Elevate and we will be celebrating their last Sunday in Elevate.

IMPACT has started placing students in House Groups (HG). If you did not receive an email with your students HG, please email Jared at [email protected] so that Impact can help get your student plugged in.

We also encourage you to join the Student Impact parents email list to stay up-to-date on all things about 8th Grade Transition. Sign up for the mailing list here.

Students (Grades 6-8)

Connect with Elevate Virtual Small Groups: Fill out the Parent/Guardian Permission here, then contact your small group leader or email [email protected] to get started.
Watch Elevate Content: YouTube @WillowStudents
Follow daily Instagram posts @ElevateWC

Parents

Subscribe to the Elevate e-news here
Get updates on our Parent Facebook page
Join our Parent Facebook Group
Small group guidelines here
Small group permission form here

Baptism

Parents if your student is interested in being baptized, download this amazing guide and walk them through what baptism is all about.

Find us on Instagram (@elevatewc) and YouTube (youtube.com/willowstudents) to stay connected!
Find us on Instagram and YouTube for updates and to stay connected!

Experience Elevate

Watch Willow Students on YouTube!

Parent Facebook Group

Connect on Instagram!

Questions? Contact Elevate!

Meet the Staff

Gretchen Dedina
Gretchen is the Director of Elevate and unofficially the director of confetti cannons. She loves making it personal for middle school students so they can experience the life changing love of God. Other than being Seattle Seahawks super fan, she is known for her sugar cookie skills and her energetic personality. You'll find her right in the mix of all the fun every weekend at Elevate with our amazing students and small group leaders.

Contact Gretchen
Amber Bachman
Amber has been the Operations Manager for Elevate since January 2021. Before that she was a Small Group Leader for Elevate. She loves ensuring students have a fun, safe place to connect with friends and learn how Jesus thinks they are awesome. When she is not at Elevate she loves spending time with her family. Her favorite meal to eat out with them is brunch.

Email Amber
Becca Furio
Becca has been a Group Life Pastor for Elevate since January 2021. She loves being a part of middle school ministry because it brings her joy as she gets to encounter junior high students meeting Jesus through silly activities and competitions. When Becca isn’t playing elevate games with students, you can find her with her legs dangling off her kayak in the middle of a lake somewhere (well if it’s summer at least!) She is also extremely passionate about breakfast food and being barefoot!

Email Becca
Rachael Judson
Rachael joined the Elevate team as a Group Life Pastor July 2019. She served as a small group leader for several years prior to joining staff and was an Elevate student herself! Besides hanging out with awesome middle school students every weekend, Rachael loves seeing how much they grow over their time in Elevate. When she’s not working, you’ll find Rachael hanging out with friends or drinking coffee and reading a good book.

Email Rachael
Joe Canady
Joe joined Elevate’s staff as a youth pastor in June 2020. Joe loves to support, equip and cheer small group leaders on as they use their time and gifts to walk alongside students in some of the most important years of their lives. When he isn’t working out or running, you can usually find Joe, catching rams and lakers games on tv or watching a reality tv show like Survivor or Big Brother.

Email Joe
Ruth French
Ruth is the Operations Administrator at Elevate. She loves serving alongside our volunteers to help create a space where our students can learn and grow in their faith. Ruth also really loves to travel. Whether it's skiing out West or eating blueberries and watching black bears in Northern Minnesota, she is ready for adventure!

Email Ruth